(Submitted photo)
Thirty-one pilgrims from the Rice Lake, Spooner and Cameron parish clusters made a pilgrimage May 5 to Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse. The trip had been postponed due to the April 14 snowstorm.
The group was appreciative of the beautiful weather and prayed the Divine Mercy Chaplet during the early morning drive. Upon arrival at the Shrine’s Welcome Center, they watched a video about St. Juan Diego and the history of the Shrine. Then, walking on foot or driven by the courtesy cart, they made their way up the half-mile path to the church and attended Mass.
As it was the feast of St. Peregrine, patron saint of cancer victims, after the Mass all were blessed on the forehead with oil that is kept near a relic of the saint.
A guided tour of the church followed. Pilgrims learned about the paintings and stained glass, statues and numerous saints’ relics in the space.
After lunch, there was individual time to explore the other sites at the Shrine: the memorial to the unborn, rosary walk, Stations of the Cross and chapel of candles. During the return trip, one of the pilgrims gifted each participant with a Guadalupe chaplet packet with rosary and prayers.
Many pilgrims agreed they could have spent more time at the Shrine and organizer Vern Pottinger hopes some will be inspired to return on their own.
